Can prayer help in the political process?

During the past few months polling has shown that millions of people are angry at elected officials who they characterize as insincere and dishonest. Television and radio stations are already filled with commercials designed by political strategists which stretch the truth and sometimes even deliberately lie. What should we do? Just stand back and shake our heads in disgust?

Even people who exercise their right to vote may feel helpless. Is there no higher law to resort to? Isn’t it possible that there’s a supreme, universal law which, if understood, can be appealed to for justice?

Although harsh political rhetoric may be as old as this country, looking back over the past two hundred and fifty years, one sees the impact of wise and dedicated individuals who fought for democracy, the right to be free, and integrity in government. George Washington, for one, did this by relying on divine power to help bring about excellence in the functioning of government.

In his first Inaugural Address, Washington referred to his “...fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.”

If there is such a supreme law of God, divine Love, what are the rights it bestows on God’s children? Mary Baker Eddy, who found pure Christianity to be based on divine laws, wrote, “God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 106) Recognizing divine law as supreme would necessarily mean it applies to everyone, including those in office and those campaigning for office.

The Bible speaks of the necessity of praying for those in government. St. Paul wrote, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2: 1-4 KJV).

One way to pray for those in government is to recognize that they are subject to the divine law of Love, and have the right and the obligation to express their God-given nature, including wisdom, honesty, and compassion, just as their constituents have the right under divine law to experience freedom, fairness, and happiness. This is not to ignore evil, but to separate it from the person, and recognize that it is ultimately self-destructive.

As we allow the Divine to mold our opinions, we become more inclusive, empathetic, and tolerant, and our actions become more honest and kind. Instead of being astonished or even shocked by what’s going on in the elective system, we can be receptive to the divine consciousness that reveals everyone’s true being as a child of God – intelligent, ethical, and just. And we can expect these prayers to open up opportunities for reform and bring about changes in our government.

Just as the congregation of the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina changed the history of their state through forgiveness last year, bringing down the Confederate flag from the state Capitol Building, we too can make an impact on our communities and country by appealing to the highest law there is, and letting it govern our thinking.

Artwork ©Glowimages

Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson is a self-syndicated columnist writing on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, and trends in that field. He is also the media spokesman for Christian Science in Illinois. You can contact him at illinois@compub.org.

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